Loader arm mounting bracket



Sept; 12,1967 c. B. BLAIR I H LOADER ARM MOUNTING BRACKET Filed Jan. 5,1966 imiiwi INVENTOR. CALVIN B. BLAIR wig! - ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent 3,341,040 LOADER ARM MOUNTING BRACKET Calvin B. Blair, Box 76,Barnard, Kans. 67418 Filed Jan. 3, 1966, Ser. No; 518,323 8 Claims. (Cl.214-140) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A universal loader arm mountingbracket includes upper and lower horizontal rigid rods engagingimplement mounting members and plates, the plates being slidable alongthe rods for adjusting to a width corresponding to a width betweenloader arms, different from the width between mounting members, theplates being pivotally connected to the loader arms.

This invention relates to remotely operated loader arms for tractorsand, more particularly, to a universal type bracket for mouting animplement to the free ends of the loader arm-s under conditions whereinthe implement has arm mounting members which are not designed to connectto the particular loader arms.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to procide auniversal type mounting bracket whereby the free ends of loader liftingand tilting arms may be connected to a tool or implement having mountingmembers of different spacing and/ or number than the free ends of theloader arms; to provide such a bracket which is simin construction anduse and permits implements and loader arms to operate together althoughthey are not designed for each other; and to provide such a mountingbracket which is quickly adapted to permit matching a great variety ofdifferent loader arms to implements.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection'with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplecertain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a mounting bracketembodying this invention used to mount a bucket to loader arms of thetype wherein the tilt arms are two in number and located directly abovethe lift arms but at a different horizontal spacing than the bucketmounting members.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view through a portion of thebracket taken on the line 22, FIG. 1, showing details of construction.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modified form ofbracket used between a bucket and loader wherein the loader tilt armsare spaced slightly outwardly of the lift arms.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the bracket of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another modified form of thebracket, shown used with a tilt arm which is centered between the liftarms.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the bracket of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings in more detail:

The reference numeral 1, FIG. 1, generally indicates a universal typemounting bracket embodying this invention. The bracket 1 is illustratedin use for mounting a tool or implement, in this example, a dump bucket2, to the free ends of a pair of boom or lift arms 4 and to the freeends 5 of a pair of hydraulically operated tilt arms 6. The lift armfree ends 3 are horizontally spaced apart a predetermined distance asdictated by the design of the remaining loader lift structure (notshown) and the tilt arm free ends 5 are horizontally spaced apart thesame distance and are respectively located directly thereabove inpredetermined normal relative positions. The implement or bucket 2 hassets of lift arm mounting ears or members 7 secured thereto in positionshorizontally spaced apart a second distance not equal to the distancebetween the lift arm free ends 3. The bucket 2 also has sets of tilt armmountingears or members secured thereto. The members 8 are normallyvertically spaced from the mounting members 7 and are spaced apart adistance not equal to the distance between the tilt arm free ends 5.

The bracket 1, in this example, comprises a pair of aligned horizontallyspaced apart vertical plate members 9 and 10 for each of the lift armends 3. The plate members 9 and 10 of each pair have forward verticallyextending mounting portions generally designated 11 and rear verticallyextending mounting portions generally designated 12. The plate members 9and 10 of each pair are spaced apart to receive the respective lift armend 3 therebetween at the rear mounting portions 12. Suitable alignedtransverse bores 13 extend through the lower part of the rear mountingportions 12 and receive a headed mounting pin 14 therethrough andthrough the respective free end 3 for vertically pivotally mounting samebetween the respective pairs of plate members 9 and 10. The mountingpins-14, in this example, are secured in position by a washer 15 andcotter pin 16 on the end opposed from the pin head 17. The tilt arm freeends 5 are received between the respective pairs of plates 9 and 10 andpivotally secured thereto by pins 18 to the rear mounting portions 12 inthe same manner as the lift arm ends 3, but spaced thereabove the normalvertical distance between the lift and tilt arm ends 3 and 5.

Lower and upper normally vertically spaced apart rigid parallel bars orrods 19 and 20 are adapted for engagement respectively with the bucketmounting members 7 and 8 by slidably extending transverselytherethrough. The rods 19 and 20 are prevented from further movementaxially through the mounting members 7 and 8 after an initial insertionand adjustment by sleeves 21. The sleeves 21 are trapped between thepairs of ears forming the respective sets of mounting members andreceive the respective rods therethrough. Th'e sleeves 21 have setscrews 22 threadedly engage therewith for bearing against the rod afterthe desired relative position is obtained. A lock nut 23 may be used toprevent the set screw from accidentally loosening during use of theimplement.

Sleeves 24 similar to the sleeves 21 are secured by welding between therespective plates 9 and 10 in vertically displaced positions at theforward mounting portion 11. The vertical displacement of the sleeves 24equals the vertical distance between respective mounting members 7 and 8on the bucket. Thus, the sleeves 24 act as spacers for maintaining therespective pairs of plates 9 and 10 in the desired parallel spaced apartrelation. Suitable bores-25 extend transversely through the platemembers 9 and 10 at the forward mounting portions 11 and align with theinteriors of the respective sleeves 24 whereby the rods 19 and 20 mayrespectively slide transversely through the pairs of plates 9 and 10 andsleeves 24 while supported in vertical spaced apart parallel relation bythe bucket mounting members 7 and 8. The sleeves 24 are provided withset screws 26 in the same manner as the sleeves 21 whereby the plates 9and 10 of each pair may be locked to the respective rods in positionswhereby the distance between the pairs of plates coincides with thedistance between the lift arm free ends 3 and tilt arm free ends 5.

Thus, the lift arms 4 and tilt arms 6, through the bracket 1, may beused to mount and manipulate the bucket 2 in the same manner as if thespacing between the arm free ends permitted the direct connection to thebucket mounting members 7 and 8. By providing the pairs of plates 9 and10 joined by the sleeves 24 together with the rods 19 and ready forassembly with the respective pairs of plates, the bracket user mayeasily drill the transverse bores 13 in the field and laterally adjustthe pairs of plates 9 and 10 on the rods 19 and 20 in the fieldwhereupon the bucket, or other implement, may be conveniently mounted toa great variety of loaders of the type wherein the tilt arms are locateddirectly above or below the lift arms but vary in vertical and/ orhorizontal spacing with the respective arms.

Certain types of loader arms have the tilt arm spaced slightly inwardlyor outwardly of the lift arm as well as vertically. Referring to FIGS. 3and 4, a modified form of universal bracket embodying this invention isillustrated and designated 27. The bracket 27 differs from the bracket 1described above in that three parallel spaced apart plates 28, 29 and 30are provided on each side of the implement and the lift arm free ends 31are pivotally mounted between two of the three plates while the tilt armfree ends 32 are mounted between the other two of the three plates. Thecenter plate 29, therefore, becomes a common mounting member for therespective associated lift and tilt arm ends. It is to be understoodthat the external shapes of the respective .plates may vary to eliminateexcess material or provide extra clearance as long as the resultingshapes provide the needed strength. The plates 28, 29 and 30, in thisexample, are maintained in proper relationship to each other withaligned sleeves 33 corresponding to the sleeves 24 and welded betweenthe plates although only a single set screw 34 is needed per set ofsleeves 33.

Other types of loader arms use only a single tilt cylinder arm 35located between a pair of horizontally spaced apart lift arms 36, asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6. To accommodate this loader arm relationship, amodified form of universal bracket embodying this invention is providedwherein a pair of central plates 37 and 38 receive and pivotally engagethe tilt arm free end 39 and respective pairs of plates 40 and 41 engagethe lift arm free ends 42 in the manner noted above. An additionalmodification of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 whereinthe respective plates each have outwardly directed flanges 43 adapted toreceive U-bolts 44 for adjustably engaging the parallel rods 45 and 46.This arrangement eliminates the need for structure corresponding to thesleeves and set screws and permits more universal adaptation in that thedistance between the individual plates are easily adjusted. Further, thevertical distance between U-bolts on a flange 43 may be changed bydrilling new sets of U-bolt receiving holes in the flanges.

It is to be understood that the respective holes required for mountingan implement to loader arms may be drilled at the factory, at theimplement dealer or in the field. In any case, the flexibility permittedallows great convenience and savings to operators and dealers bypermitting the mating of implements and loader arms which were notdesigned for each other.

Although certain forms of this invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it is not to be limited thereto except insofar as suchlimitations are included in the following claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A universalbracket for pivotally mounting an implement to the free ends of a pairof lift arms and to the free end of at least one tilt arm, said lift armfree ends being horizontally spaced apart a first distance, said tiltarm free end being at least vertically displaced from said lift arm freeends, said implement having lift arm mounting members secured thereto inpositions horizontally spaced apart a second distance, said implementhaving at least one tilt arm mounting member secured thereto in aposition at least vertically displaced from said lift arm mountingmembers, said bracket comprising:

(a) lower and upper horizontal normally vertically spaced apart rigidrods adapted for engagement re- 5 spectively with said implement liftarm and tilt arm mounting members, said lift arm rod having a length atleast equal to said first distance,

(b) a pair of securing members engaging said rods and movable therealongto produce a distance between said securing members equal to said firstdistance, said securing members being respectively adapted for pivotalengagement with said respective lift arm free ends, and

(c) means for pivotally engaging said tilt arm free end to one of saidrods whereby said implement is mounted on said arm ends for operation.

2. The bracket as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said securing members each comprise a pair of horizontally spaced apartvertical plates extending transversely of said rods and having forwardmounting portions and rear mounting portions,

said forward mounting portions being engaged with both of said rods, and

said lift arm free ends are respectively receivable between andpivotally securable to said pairs of plates at said rear mountingportions.

3. The bracket as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tilt arm free endsare two in number and positioned directly vertically with respect tosaid lift arm ends and:

said means for pivotally engaging said tilt arm free ends comprise saidpairs of plates at said rear mounting portions.

4. The bracket as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

rigid sleeves are positioned between and secured transversely to saidrespective pairs of plates, said sleeves and plates respectively beingadapted for slidably receiving said rods therethrough.

5. The bracket as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

said plate forward mounting portions comprise a flange extendingtransversely of said plates, and

U-bolts extending through said flange and around said respective rods.

6. The bracket as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tilt arm ends areone in number and positioned between said lift arm ends, and

said means for pivotally engaging said tilt arm end comprises a thirdpair of vertical spaced apart plates engaging said rods between saidfirst named pairs of plates.

7. The bracket as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

set screws are threadedly engaged with said sleeves for locking saidpairs of plates in adjusted position on said rods. 8. A universalbracket for pivotally mounting an implement to the free ends of a pairof lift arms and to the free ends of a pair of tilt arms, said lift armfree ends being horizontally spaced apart a first distance, said tiltarm free ends being positioned horizontally, laterally and verticallywith respect to said lift arm free ends, said implement having lift armmounting members secured thereto in positions horizontally spaced aparta second distance, said implement having tilt arm mounting memberssecured thereto in positions at least vertically displaced from saidlift arm mounting members, said bracket comprising:

(a) lower and upper horizontal normally vertically spaced apart rigidrods adapted for engagement respectively with said implement lift armand tilt arm mounting members,

(b) a pair of securing members engaging said rods and movable therealongto produce a distance between said securing members equal to said firstdistance, said securing members each comprising three horizontallyspaced apart vertical plates having forward mounting portions and rearmounting portions, said implement is mounted on said arm ends for saidforward mounting portions being engaged with operation.

said rods, said lift arm free ends being respectively receivable betweenand pivotally securable to two of References Cited said three plates ofeach securing member at said 5 UN STATES PATENTS reaFmoimtmg Pmtlons and2,802,584 8/1957 Przybylski 214-138 (c) said tilt arm free ends belngrespectlvely receiv- 3 139 201 6/1964 Rolfes 214 145 X able between andpivotally securable to the third 3:227:300 1/1966 TIIII: X

plate and one of said two plates of each securing member at said rearmounting portions, whereby 10 HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

1. A UNIVERSAL BRACKET FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING AN IMPLEMENT TO THE FREE ENDS OF A PAIR OF LIFT ARMS AND TO THE FREE END OF AT LEAST ONE TILT ARM, SAID LIFT ARM FREE ENDS BEING HORIZONTALLY SPACED APART A FIRST DISTANCE, SAID TILT ARM FREE END BEING AT LEAST VERTICALLY DISPLACED FROM SAID LIFT ARM FREE ENDS, SAID IMPLEMENT HAVING LIFT ARMS MOUNTING MEMBERS SECURED THERETO IN POSITIONS HORIZONTALLY SPACED APART A SECOND DISTANCE, SAID IMPLEMENT HAVING AT LEAST ONE TILT ARM MOUNTING MEMBER SECURED THERETO IN A POSITION AT LEAST VERTICALLY DISPLACED FROM SAID LIFT ARM MOUNTING MEMBERS, SAID BRACKET COMPRISING: (A) LOWER AND UPPER HORIZONTAL NORMALLY VERTICALLY SPACED APART RIGID RODS ADAPTED FOR ENGAGEMENT RESPECTIVELY WITH SAID IMPLEMENT LIFT ARM AND TILT ARM MOUNTING MEMBERS, SAID LIFT ARM ROD HAVING A LENGTH AT LEAST EQUAL TO SAID FIRST DISTANCE, (B) A PAIR OF SECURING MEMBERS ENGAGING SAID RODS AND MOVABLE THEREALONG TO PRODUCE A DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID SECURING MEMBERS EQUAL TO SAID FIRST DISTANCE, SAID SECURING MEMBERS BEING RESPECTIVELY ADAPTED FOR PIVOTAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RESPECTIVE LIFT ARM FREE ENDS, AND (C) MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY ENGAGING SAID TILT ARM FREE END TO ONE OF SAID RODS WHEREBY SAID IMPLEMENT IS MOUNTED ON SAID ARM ENDS FOR OPERATION. 